Muscular Dystrophy Canada is a nonprofit whose mission is to enhance the lives of those affected with neuromuscular disorders by continually working to provide ongoing support and resources while relentlessly searching for a cure through well funded research.

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Walk for Muscular Dystrophy volunteers share their stories for HealthPartners

Though the summer might be over, it does not stop Ontario Walk for Muscular Dystrophy volunteers in their efforts to raise awareness about the annual event. Throughout the year, these volunteers work hard to spread the word, and for three of them, that effort includes taking time to speak publicly about the Walk and to share their personal stories.

HealthPartners is an organization made up of 16 national health charities that work together to raise funds through workplace giving. Every September, HealthPartners begins their annual Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign which offers the opportunity to have volunteers from these 16 charities speak at various events.

This fall, three Muscular Dystrophy Canada volunteers attended separate events to speak about our organization and how and why they are involved.

In Toronto, Gail Ward volunteered to speak to a group of Via Rail employees to share her story. Gail is a member of the Toronto Walk planning committee and participates in the Walk along with her Team Sip & Do teammates of family and friends.

“I agreed to speak in order to tell my story about our son on behalf of the many Muscular Dystrophy Canada families, hoping that it might make a positive difference to their fundraising efforts remembering David and how Muscular Dystrophy Canada helped him on many fronts throughout his life,” she said.

In Whitby, Brad Miller spoke to employees of the local CRA. Brad has been a part of the Durham Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Planning committee for the past two years and has participated since 2010.

“I really enjoyed being given the opportunity to speak on behalf of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. As a Canadian living with Muscular Dystrophy I agreed to share my story because raising awareness about the issues we face is important to me,” said Brad. “Another reason why I think it is important to share my story is to help gain support for Muscular Dystrophy Canada so they can continue enhancing the lives of Canadians like myself who are living with muscular dystrophy. The main hope I have is that sharing my story will somehow help to make a difference in the lives of everyone affected by neuromuscular disorders.”

In St. Catharines, Brian Mino took the time to share his family’s story. In 2012, Brian joined the Niagara Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy planning committee and brings his family and friends on event day to create the largest team there.

Of this speaking opportunity, he said “I decided to speak about Muscular Dystrophy Canada to share my story with others to help raise awareness of Muscular Dystrophy and the support our family receives [from them]. We all need to work together as a community to improve the quality of life while fighting disabling and life-threatening diseases. The donations that Muscular Dystrophy Canada and HealthPartners receives helps provide caring support to these Canadians [and] can bring better health – and hope – to people in our communities”